Race Report: Bommarito Automotive Group 500

MADISON, Ill. (June 7, 2020) -- Rookie Caio Collet drove one of his best races of his young INDYCAR career Sunday night in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis but the record books show a 22nd place finish.

What they don't show is the great start he had in the No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet where he went from 20th to 14th in the first lap or that his pit crew got him out of the pits six times with flawless pit stops or that he led seven laps and was never out of the top 10 after lap 61 until he lost power on lap 226--just 34 laps from the conclusion.

A picture's worth a thousand words...

Nor will it show his professionalism -- giving an interview to FOX -TV pit reporter Georgia Henneberry moments after stepping out of the car when he obviously wanted to be left alone in his frustration.

“It’s hard. I think we did everything right today, from the strategy to the driving, to everything. It’s racing," Collet said, trying to keep his emotions in check.

For Collet it is yet another test of his resilience this season as he is still recovering from a rib injury sustained in his horrific crash in the final laps of the Indy 500. His talent has not gone unnoticed as he continues to gain respect in the paddock and the broadcast booth --and fans in the grandstands.

Santino Ferrucci entered the weekend optimistic about his chances in the night race, having finished fifth here last year after starting 19th. He started 15th in the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet Sunday evening but it became evident early on in the race that it would be a long night for him and his team as he slipped from 15th to 17th in the opening laps, which are usually his forté.

He ran in the range of 14th to 16th for much of the race, getting a break with track position due to fuel strategy as he restarted seventh on lap 234, when the caution period for his teammate Collet ended. However, Ferrucci could not hold onto the spot as cars that pitted during that caution had the advantage of fresh rubber and Ferrucci did not. He slipped to 13th, being passed by Scott Dixon in the final laps.

"A long day and night," Ferrucci commented. "Wish it was a bit better for us; we were just missing pace, tried to find the balance in the car, and you know, we did everything we could on the strategy, and I think that, as far as that goes, you can't really ask for more.  Just didn't have the pace today to finish in the top 10."

Josef Newgarden won the race for his sixth time in 11 races at the 1.25-mile oval, beating Marcus Ericsson who led for a race high 114 laps to Newgarden's 57. The race was stopped for weather twice, the first time coming on lap 137 when Collet was in second place behind Ericsson. Had the race not restarted, he would have had his first podium.

Collet dices with eventual winner Josef Newgarden.

The race did restart and then was stopped a second time for rain on lap 197, leading to a combined downtime of over 50 minutes. Fans stuck with the program however and saw some thrilling action on track as the racing was close with cars touching wheels as drivers jousted for position.

Following Newgarden and Ericsson across the line were Christian Rasmussen, Rinus Veekay and Scott McLaughlin.

The Combitrans crew replaced the engine in the No. 4 car today in preparation for their one day test Tuesday at Road America along with teammate Ferrucci and several other teams. The NTT INDYCAR Series returns to action on Father's Day weekend with the XPEL Grand Prix on Sunday, June 21 at Road America. The race will be broadcast on FOX starting at 2 p.m. ET.

Alessandro de Tullio (far left) celebrates on the podium alongside winner Myles Rowe (center) and third place Josh Pierson. (INDYCAR Photo)

In the INDY NXT by Firestone race, Alessandro de Tullio qualified outside pole and claimed the runnerup finish in the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing machine, but not without some hard-fought battles in the 75-lap race. After struggling for pace in the opening laps and falling as low as eighth, de Tullio found his rhythm, managed his tires and began charging back through the field to finish behind Myles Rowe, who won the race after starting last due to a procedural infraction during qualifying, negating his pole-winning run.

"Very happy with the result today," de Tullio said. "We definitely needed a good race to put us back on the right track. That's exactly what we did today. It was a bit of a tough race in the beginning, but we sorted it out at the end. Had a few good moves. And yeah, wanted to win, but for today, P2 is a pretty good result considering how the last few went with unfortunate incidents. So happy to keep it clean, get a good result for the team, and thanks to all the 14 crew for the amazing work. Onto Road America.”

Nicholas Monteiro started 19th after a tough but hard-fought qualifying session. Monteiro kept his No. 4 AJ Foyt Racing entry out of trouble and steadily moved forward. A strong charge over the closing laps saw him gain several positions, ultimately crossing the line in 15th in Round Eight of the championship.

Monteiro prior to starting his first race on an oval. (INDYCAR Photo)

“We finished the race in St. Louis — my first oval in INDY NXT," said Monteiro. "I really liked the track, it was really different to drive. It was a good race. We started P19 and finished P15. We had a good pace, and in the last laps, we were passing cars. I think if we started in a better position, for sure we were going to be in the top ten. Let's go strong for Road America, a track I love.”

The INDY NXT by Firestone event at Road America will be broadcast on FS1 on Saturday, June 20 starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.